Yesterday’s misadventures.

First up, a photo that has nothing to do with anything. It’s just something nice to look at while I go free association about yesterday’s misadventures.

THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY:

In the order which they occurred… I think…

Nicky snuck a half-eaten banana into the dyer while I was unloading laundry.

I woefully underestimated the timing for our morning routine and had to forgo a shower (but figured I’d sneak one in mid-morning #lol #no).

Immediately after we dropped Grace off at her summer program, Nicky fell and cut the back of his head badly enough to need stitches.

He was such a champ. I was a wreck.

While he was getting tended to (and squirming a bit), I somehow ended up with surgical glue on my face. Apparently it will come off in 5-7 days. Can’t wait for that.

I drank an iced coffee and cried in my car. (Hi again, caffeine.)

We made it back from urgent care in time to pick up Grace (and I exhaled for the first time in over an hour).

No luck on the shower. But Jesus cranked up the humidity, so… poodle hair.

Speaking of poodles, all five of us (Grace, Nicky, Clark, his cone and myself) went to the vet.

The vet took one look at our motley crew and called for back-up (this literally happened), as if having an additional vet tech in the room would prevent my children from attacking or eating dog treats or… something.

I cried in my car again but this time I pretended to be fake sneezing (my kids love fake sneezing and I’ve never been above a cheap laugh).

We bought matching sweatshirts for the family (it seemed like the right thing to do).

I found the aforementioned banana.

We survived.

Once both babes (and Clark) were safely tucked in bed and the house was quiet, I sat at the kitchen table for two entire hours. Just breathing. I barely noticed how dark it was until I sort of came to, wondering if I should be searching for additional bananas. If I’m being honest (which I endeavor to do, obvi), this is not the first banana/laundry incident we’ve had… this week.

Days like yesterday are memorable because they almost never happen (thankfully) and because they serve up gentle reminders of all sorts.

A reminder that we have so much (excellent healthcare, reliable transportation, a generous and kind support network, clean clothes, plenty of bananas, a Frenchie who promised to live forever, and the resources to manage all of this). A reminder that I need to take care of myself in order to best take care of others (no more staying up ’til 2 AM reading about shipwrecks #reallife). A reminder that there is power in laughter and tears and tears disguised as sneezes. A reminder that children are resilient and brave, even if their behavior is also terribly risky and awfully terrifying. A reminder that quiet time is rarely wasted time. A reminder that even (or especially) as a mother, it is important to be vulnerable and receptive to help.